Taiwan Quick Take: Lu talks on diplomacy

Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) yesterday chaired a meeting on diplomacy at the Presidential Office. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council and the Government Information Office. Lu said the nation's diplomatic efforts faced three hurdles: suppression from China, alienation from the international community and -- most importantly -- public indifference. Lu said the nation also needed to debunk myths surrounding the number of its diplomatic allies, the impossibility of overcoming China's oppression and the nature of the relationship between Taiwan, China and the US. Lu proposed that diplomatic staff make good use of non-governmental organizations and strengthen communication channels with international associations to expand the nation's presence on the world stage.